Police not responsible for accused in Sonawane case getting bail: RR Patil

Maharashtra home minister RR Patil today said that police could not be held responsible for the nine accused in the Yashwant Sonawane murder case getting bail earlier this week.

Additional Collector Sonawane's murder at the hands of oil mafia near Manmad on January 25 had sparked off outrage across the country. Prime accused in the case, Popat Shinde died of burn injuries later, but nine others had been arrested in the case.

Talking to reporters here, Patil said that CBI failed to file chargesheet in the stipulated time, which led to release of the accused on bail. "Case is with CBI now. How can police be held responsible," he asked, in reply to a query.

Patil was here today to review the new video surveillance system installed at Maharashtra Police Academy here.